Pumping mechanism for centralized lubricating systems



Feb.- 12, 1952 TEAR 2,585,189

PUMPING MECHANISM FOR CENTRALIZED LUBRICATING SYSTEMS Filed Sept. 50, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l s! w 1 g filial/ 12495,

H. R. TEAR Feb. 12, 1952 PUMPING MECHANISM FOR CENTRALIZED LUBRICATING SYSTEMS Filed Sept. 30, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A "5%." .n llll lllllll lhllllllllluuu Feb. 12, 1952 TEAR 2,585,189

I PUMPING MECHANISM FOR CENTRALIZED LUBRICATING SYSTEMS Filed Sept. 30, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 jade/mic If Patented F eb. 12, 1952 PUB/[PING MEGHANISM FOR GENTRALIZED ILUBRICATINGSYSTEMS Harry'R-Tear', Evan'ston, 111., assignor to Stewart- Warnerl Corporation, Chicago, 111., a "corporationrof Virginia,

Apblicationseptember 30, 19.46,:Serial No. 700,224

17 LClaims.

This invention "relates to lubricating apparatus'anci more particularly 'toautomatie'centralize'dsystems for lubricating a piuraiitymfbeari-ngs or other surfaces at predetermined intervals and with measured quantities of lubricant.

One' object of the invention-is to provideanew and improved pumping mechanism for a" centraiized lubricating system.

*Another object of the inventionis to )provide anewand' improved unit ernbodying pumping mechanism valve control mechanism for use with a iubricating system of-the-dual linetypei 'It' is alsoan'objeot of'the invention'toprovide a power-"driven pumping"mechanismfor'mcentra-l-ize'ci lubricating system and means-"forvarying the rate of'operation of the'pump.

#A further object of the invention is to provide a -control unit "combined *With a pump' unit for use' in'a clu'al'line iubricating sys-tem' in -Which lubricant is fed first in one "direction through the system and then in the other' directiomsaici contr'oi unit including valve mechanism'forfee'ding the lubricant selectively into" one end" or into the other end of the system; and a timing device actuated-by" operation or the prom-p for shifting the valve mechanismafter' a predetermined --period of fioW 'in one "direction;

'lOther' objeots-and advanta'ges WilPappeai from the following ciesorip'tion taken "in connection with the drawings; in vvhich:

.Figil is a--side=eievationa1 view of 'a pumbing and control unitlembodying this inv'ention tog'ether with: a' diagrammatic view-"of aduai line lubrication "system "adap ted to be supiilied and actuated thereby; the unit sho-w1r w ith 'its cover removed;

FF-igJZ is" an end elevation of the unit shown iniFig; 1;

'Fig 3 is a vertical sectionatview taken -substantialiy as indicated at iine 3- 3 on *"-ig1'-2 and including the upper portion of" the reservoir;

er ig. 4' is anhorizontai section -taken substantialzlysiasindicatedr ati 1ine4-4 on -Fig. 1

."Fig; 5..is a' fragmentary vertical: section taken asindioated :at. line 5-i5 on Figi 3;iand with:certain parts omitted;

:Fig; 6 .ashorizontaidetailzzseetion takenzas indicated; ateline" 6+6 on Fig. 3;

.fRig. 7 z is :a fragmentary vhorizontalssection tak'enz-as 'indieatedzat line i-'-1on Eiglv3;

Fig 8- isza' fragmentaryzdetaii section takenras indicatedat line; 8+8 on Fig.- 3;

Fig.1; is =2, fragmentary vertical-=- 5601110112 taken at'theasame plane las Fig-,3, but showing sthe valve in -a differentpposition; and

t Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 9, butshowing modifiedvalve structure.

vAs. shown'in Fig. 1a dualline' lubricating system'usually consists ofa'plurality'of measuring valve devices. ril'connected in a continuous'se'ries by sections'of conduit I2"with' terminal sections of conduits l4 and" I5 'lea'dingfrom a'source' of supply of lubricant. under'pressure. Each' measuringdevicef t0 includes two out1et"tt'1bes"i-8', both oftwhi'chmay 'lead'to ia"sing'1e*bearing if itis'a 1937287011601 which may lead twseparat-beafings requirmgsmailer quantities 'ofiubricant. when the"'li1b'ricant is fed underpressureiinto" the conduit 'M the mechanism-*of-each'of the-waives H3 is actuatew for cieiivering amha-rge -of-'1ubricant throughwne or its outlet tubes I 8. excess duit It. The flow isthen reversedand-lubricant is 'fed-*uriderfjpressure intothe "conduit-16 arid through the" several measuring *valves Breath of-which thendischarges'iubricant from its other outlet f8 Whilethe-(axoess iiowis returnedto the supply through the "conduit M. This conchides the cycle-"of operation -and'=usua11y the ey'cie is 'repeated at predetermined intervals 6f time under control ofany-" suitabie timing mechgum through which lubricant may'zbei ioribiyifed 7 into the-reservoir --'through -Ithe opening282inaits bottom wa-ll. Aslthe?reservoiriais'zthusrfiliedathe foiiowen piate 261rises therein (In-Ethe surfacezof the lubricant, and as it approachesxtheatopeof thereservoin itzengages BLCI'OSSJDHY 38'irrthezguide rodif fleandz lifts .ithe'r-rodeth-roughm' limitedodistance oiithatiitsi terminal? isrraised: above the top20f :thGiTGSBlVOiDfiS az'signal: toxindicateitthat therreservoirz'isz zEuH. ,-:iArcro-ss:pinifloinithe lower endeofz thezguiderod. "-24 prevents removahofnthe rodeexceptiwhen; the-mover Mather-reservoir r10 "is-intentionally removedxtoricleaning or-:repairingJthe interior.

..eThez.pumping.- mechanism includesvzatcylinder cylindrical bore 44 preferably made of high carbon steel which can be accurately machined and lapped to receive its piston 46. The cylinder is fitted in a bore t8 formed in the cast housing 22 and may be provided with packing rings 50 to secure the cylinder in leakproof relation therein. One end of the cylinder bore is closed by a ball check valve 52 having a spring 54 pocketed in the threaded terminal portion 55 of the cylnider, and said portion may be provided with an air vent 58 controllable at will by a needle valve 60 and normally closed. The terminal portion 56 of the cylinder has ports I3I leading from points adjacent the check valve and said ports open into an annular passage 62 from which a duct 54 leads obliquely into a cylindrical pocket as seen in Fig. 2. A screen or filter element 68 is mounted in the pocket and provides access there-- from to a feed port I which is connected by a tube 12 with a port 14disposed in the underside of a valve chamber 'I. Said chamber is a in which there is slidably mounted a cylindrical valve member 8 having reduced portions 80 and 82 which form annular passages for connecting certain ports to control the flow of lubricant as desired.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 3 there are two outlets 84 and 86 from which the conduits I4 and I6 lead respectively. These outlets are horizontally aligned with the axis of the valve chamber I6 and open into said chamber; and preferably said outlets are duplicated on the opposite side of the housing, one of them being shown at 83 in Fig. 2. This is simply as a matter of convenience so that the conduits I4 and I5 leading to the series of measuring valves may be coupled to the pump and control unit at either side. The unused outlets are closed with threaded plugs 85.

In addition to the outlets 84 and 86 the cast body of the housing 22 contains vent or return passages 88 and 90 which are connected together by a. passage 92. As shown in Fig. 6, a short lateral passage 94 leads from the passage 92 into an annular space 96 which is formed in a bore in the casing by the insertion of a relief valve fitting 98 in the bore, said fitting being secured in place by a threaded plug I00. From the annular space 96 Fig. 5 shows a passage I02 leading vertically past the pump cylinder and opening into the space just below the port 28 in the bottom wall 30 of the reservoir 20. Thus a return path is provided for any excess lubricant pumped into the system in either direction.

If at any time the filter screen 68 should become seriously clogged so as to impede the flow of lubricant from the pump into the system, the lubricant entering the pocket or chamber 66 will fill a cross passage I04, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 5 and 6. This passage leads to a short passage I05 and into a port I06 which is normally closed by the valve member I08 seated by the spring H0 in the plug I00; but the back pressure will open the valve and the lubricant can then return to the reservoir through the passage I02.

With the valve member 18 positioned as show in Fig. 3, it will be seen that as the piston 46 of the pump is moved to the right in itscylinder 44, it-will be withdrawn to uncover inlet ports 45 connecting with the annular passage 43 which is formed in the cylinder 44. This passage communicates with the extension 33 of the passage 32 leading from the reservoir 20, thus admitting lubricant into the unoccupied portion of the bore of the cylinder 44. Upon its return stroke the the piston 46.

piston 46 will force this lubricant past the check valve 52 through ports 6| into the annular passage 62 and through the inclined duct 64 to the screen chamber or pocket 66. Passing through the screen 68 the lubricant will flow through the port I0, tube I2, and discharge port I4 into the annular space provided by the reduced portion 82 of the valve 18 and thence through the outlet port 84 to which the conduit I4 is conneoted. At the same time, with the valve member I8 in this position, the conduit I6 serves as a return passage from the system connecting the port 86 which leads to the space provided by the reduced portion of the valve I8 and thence through the return or vent passage 88, passages 92, 94 and 96 and the passage I02 through which the excess lubricant is returned to the reservoir 20.

When the valve I8 is shifted from the lefthand limit of its travel, as seen in Fig. 3, to its right-hand limit of movement the reduced portion 80 of the valve will register with the feed port I4, providing communication between said port and the outlet port 86 to which conduit I6 is connected. This will cause the lubricant to flow in the opposite direction around the system of tubes I 2 and valves I0, returning by way of the conduit I4 and port 84. With the valve I8 in this latter position the port 84 will be connected with the return passage leading back to the reservoir through passages 92, 94, 96 and I02.

When the valve I8 is adjusted to an intermediate position, as shown in Fig. 9, its middle portion or land 19, being narrower than the feed port I4 will not fully close said port and its end portions will not fully close the return passages 88 and 90; therefore the pump will merely pass lubricant from the feed port I4 into passages 88 and 90, and back to the reservoir 20 through the return passages 92, 94, 96 and I02. In the present apparatus it is contemplated that the pump shall run continuously, thus feeding the lubricant in the closed path just described except at predetermined intervals when it is fed into the system for actuating the measuring valves I0 and lubricating the bearings served by them.

To accomplish this result a timing mechanism is operated mechanically in connection with the operation of the pump itself. The pump is driven by an eccentric I20 keyed to a shaft I2I and operating against a roller I22 journaled on ball bearings in a crosshead I23 secured to the end of As shown in Fig. 4, the shaft I2I is connected to a drive shaft I 24 by a gear I25 meshing with a pinion I26 on the drive shaft. Said drive shaft extends outside the casing 22 and may be fitted with a pulley, gear or coupling means connecting it with any convenient moving part of the machine to be lubricated, or with a separate motor or other source of power. Said shaft I24 is journaled in a bearing I21 formed in one wall of the casing 22 and in the second bearing I28 supported by a web or partition I29 within the casing. To provide for a different speed ratio between the shafts I24 and I2I a second gear I30 is carried on the shaft I2I alongside the gear I 25, and a second pinion I3I is associated with the pinion I26 on the shaft I24. The shaft I24 is held in place by collars I32. Upon removal of the securing nuts I33 from the ends of the shafts I2I and I24, the gears I25 and I30 may be removed and transposed and the pinions I26 and I3I may be similarly removed and transposed so that the pinion I3I meshes with the gear I30. Two more speed ratios may be secured by placing gears I 25 and ISfl Gn tI ie shaft I2 4 an'd pla'cing' pinidfis -i 25-and* t3 I o'n the shaft i2l, eitherwith gear li5 and-pinion l2ii -in mesh or'with gear I50 and-pinion ISI-in mesh.

As the eccentric I2 il rotates, the zrollen I2-2-is heldin contact-with the eccentric by a --spring I 35 reacting between ashoulder on the cylinder 44 and a shoulder'on the-crosshead I 23. The resultingreciprocationof the-piston 45 and the crosshead I23- actuates the lever I38 fu'lcrumed.

mounted-on-thestub shaft I45 which is: fixedly secured-in-the casing 22, as seen in'Fig. '7. :'-A pair of holding pawls I 45- are pivoted at I39 with their teeth also ofiset, and-springs I41 connecting the dogs- I42 and pawls I4B=maintain their engagementwith the teeth of the ratchetwheel l i i. Thus as thepump piston 45 is reciprocatedby the eccentric IZEL- theratchet wheel I44 is turned in step-by-Step fashion by one or the other of the ratchet dogs #42. -Asshownin Fig. 1 theshaft 'I45 car-ries' a 'cam-disc A, said cam being secured by 'screws I48 to ahub I49 .-(see Fig. '7) whichis connected'by pins I50 to a spur: gear i5I-rotatably mounted on the bushing I52 with which the s'ha-ft 'l45 -is provided. 'T-hegear i5I meshes with thelpinion I53'whichis rigidly connected with a pinion- I54, said. pinions being journaled in a bearing-'eccentrically located in the ratchet wheel I44. Assho'wn in Fig. 7 the=gear IEI and pinion I53-are disposed at one side of the ratchet wheel 144, while the pinion- I54 is disposed at the opposite side of 'the ratchet wheel and meshes with the gear I55 which is secured fixedly to the shaft I45' atthat side of the wheel I44. The number of teeth'of the-gear I5I is slightly greater or slightly less than the'number of teeth of the gear I55, preferably by a difference of a si-ngle'tooth; or,as an alternative, the: pinions- I53 and I54 might differ by a single tooth; the gears I5! and I55 being exactly similar. 'In either case the rotation of'the-ratchet wheel I44 about the axis of shaft I45,-'causingthe pinion I54 to travel around-the fixedxzg'ear I55,. produces a difierential rotation Eat-thefigear- I5I amounting'tothe angular width of (meet its teeth for each rotation of the ratchet wheel I44. Thus the cam disc A connected to the -gear"l5l by pin l5Il and screws I48 is rotated 'slowly asthe pump continues to operate.

*The cam disc A is arranged to actuate the slide valve" 18 by means of a link I56 connected'at one end tosaid valve by apin I51 and having its opposite end formed asa yoke I58 whichfits slidablyover-a reduced portion of the hub I49, as seen in 'Fig-fl. The link I56 carries a follower roller -l59 which engages-the periphery of the 'cam A an'd is maintained in suchengagement by a s'pringflifl disposedin the pocket IBI threaded into the end of the casing 22 opposite the remote end -of the valve member I8, as seen in Fig. 3. When the follower roller I59 engages the circular portiontc of the cam A, the valve member I8 will oc'upyits'intermediatepositionin which it stands lipposite'the port 14; as shown in Fig. 9. When the -high -pointy of thecamA engages the roller 159, the -valve 78 willbeshift'ed to the left of Thus the 'gradual ro'tation of -the cam A opcr-.

ates fiist to maintain the valve 13 in its middle or neutral position during the relatively extended interval betvveen' lubricating periods, and--theri to release lubricantthrough the system first in one direction and then in the l other direction. The cam A inay berotated-in either direction sinee itis immaterial whether-lubricant-is fed fir'st into the-conduit I i-andthence around -the system to'return by the conduit I 6,oris first pumped o'ut through the conduit 'lt= and returned through conduit I4.

The interval between lubricatingi periods 'may be varied by altering the stroke of the lever-I 38 and thus-changing the angular :movementofithe ratchet wheel I44 effected ateach reciprocation of the-pump piston 46. Thisadjustment of the lever stroke is accomplished by i means of a cam I 62 which is rotatable through a limited angle on a pivot I53 fixed in a wall of the casing 22, as seen in Fig. 8. The cam is formed withr-ab'utment notches I84 which engage a pin I65" fixed in the lever I33 and thuslimitthe.stroke of:\-the lever inresponse to its spring I4I, this beingthe return or non-working stroke in which theteeth of-the ratchet dogs I42 ride over-theteeth-of the ratchet wheel I44. The several notches I64-are disposed at difierent radial distances fromthe axis of the cam pivot I63 so that rotativeadiustment of the cam IE2 about its pivot alters the position at which the lever I38 is arrested. As seen in Fig. 8 the cam is provided with a sleeve I55 by which it is journaled on the pivot I53. The free end of the sleeve projects beyond the pivot bolt and has notches I65 for engagement with a cross pin I66 of an adjusting member I61 which is mounted for rotation, andpacked against leakage, in a boss I68 in the front wall-01f the casing 22. This permits convenient removal-of the front wall when necessary. The outer-side of the boss is closed-by a removable screw; plug I 69, giving access to the slotted head of the member Ifi'l when it isdesired-toshift-thecam I62 from one position to another. --Said-cam--is formed with-apertures I10 in whichengages a;' spr-ing pressed detent I10 for holding-thecaminadjusted position.

Figure 10 illustrates a modifiedform-of valve member H8 in which the middle portion br land I'I9- isvvide enough to fully close the feed port -74 when-the valve stands at its middle position-and theendportions I8 and 'I8I a're dimensioned to fully close the i'eturnpassages 88 andsew-hen the valve is-in this-position. Ifthe pump runs continuously between lubricating. periods this valve will cause-thelubricant tobe forced throughthe duct 54into filterpocket 6t, thence by passages Ill 'tand I05-into--port 05 and past the relief valve I98 into. passage I52 which leads back to the reservoir 20. #However, with this arrangement,- the lubricating-system" outside-the housing -22 would be sealedat both ends by'the full closing of the valve 148 between the terminal conduits I4 a. and IIi, and it would be necessary to install a separate relief valve in the system outside the; housing 2 2 as a protection against possible dama'ge whioh V might occur if the lubricant thus confined in the system should expand with an increase of temperature during a shut-down period. In general, the form of valve shown at 18 in Figs. 3 and 9 is preferable, which not only serves to vent one line of a dual line system when the other line is connected to the pump, but vents both sides of the system to a low pressure region, such as the reservoir, when the system is inactive, in the intervals between lubrication periods.

.It will be understood that the compartment of the housing 22 which encloses the drive gearing and the timing mechanism contains a supply of oil for keeping these parts lubricated. An oil filler opening is closed by the screw plug I82; a removable plug I84 is positioned to determine the maximum oil level when the compartment is being filled; and a drain plug I86 at the level of the bottom wall permits cleaning out the used lubricant when necessary.

While there is shown and described herein certain structure embodying the invention and illustrative thereof, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

but includes all modifications, variations and equivalents which may come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a lubricating system having a conduit system with a feed and return line, a source of lubricant and a pump supplied from said source for supplying lubricant under pressure to said line, means for bypassing the lubricant discharged by said pump from said line, a single 3 directional valve operable to direct the lubricant discharged by said pump alternately into opposite ends of said line for feeding lubricant in opposite directions through the system or to direct lubricant to said bypass means for discontinuing the flow of lubricant to said system, and timing means for positively operating said valve alternately to feed lubricant to said system and to discontinue feeding.

2. In a lubricating system of the type wherein a pump supplies lubricant intermittently to a feed line, a rotatable drive shaft, means for establishing a driving connection between said shaft and pump for operating said pump to discharge lubricant irrespective of the direction in which the shaft is rotated, valve means for controlling the flow of lubricant discharged by said pump, cam means for positively operating said valve, timing means for operating said cam means comprising a ratchet, gearing actuated upon rotation of said ratchet for driving said cam means, and means for rotating said ratchet in the same direction irrespective of the direction of rotation of said drive shaft including a lever pivoted to said pump mechanism, means cooperating with said pump driving means to rock said lever, a pawl mechanism reciprocated by said lever to rotate said ratchet, and adjustable means for determining the stroke of said lever independently of the operation of said pump driving means.

3. In a lubricating system having a lubricant conveying line, a source of lubricant and a pump supplied from said source for supplying lubricant under pressure from said source to said line, means for bypassing lubricant from said line, means for filtering the lubricant supplied to said line, a control valve for connecting said pump alternately with said bypass means and said line. timing means for positively operating said valve in a predetermined sequence to effect the alternate connection of said pump with said bypass means and said line, a second bypass means from said pump to said source around said filter means, a normally closed preloaded valve in said second bypass means yieldable when the resistance to flow through said filter means exceeds a predetermined maximum.

4. In a lubricant distributing system having a continuously driven reciprocating pump feed from a source of supply and valve means controlling connection of the pump with the system, a rotatable cam means for actuating said valve means, timing means for rotating said cam means including a rotatable ratchet wheel,

pawl mechanism for rotating said ratchet wheel in one direction including a reciprocatory driving pawl adapted to rotate said ratchet wheel upon reciprocation in one direction and to ratchet upon said wheel upon reciprocation in the other direction, and a holding pawl adapted to ratchet on said wheel when the latter is rotated by said driving pawl and to prevent rotation thereof in the opposite direction, a lever member oscillated by the pump driving means for reciprocating said driving pawl, and a spring extending between said pawls and operative when one pawl ratchets to increase the holding power of the other pawl.

5. In a lubricating system having a lubricant distributing line and a driving means continuously operating a pump continuously to pump lubricant from a source of supply, a valve block having a valve chamber formed therein and passages leading to said chamber from the pump, from said chamber to opposite ends of said line, and from said chamber back to the supply, a single valve member shiftable in said chamber to connect either end of the line with the pump and simultaneously for substantially the same interval to connect the other end of the line with the supply or simultaneously to vent both ends of the line and the pump back to the supply, and means including a rotatable cam means for shifting said valve member to connect the pump first with one line, then with the other line, and then with said vent, and stepby-step driving means actuated by the pump driving means to rotate said cam.

6. In a lubricating system having a lubricant distributing line and a driving means continuously operating a pump continuously to pump lubricant from a source of supply, means forming a valve chamber with passages leading to said chamber from the pump, from said chamber to both ends of the line, and from said chamber back to the supply, a single valve member shiftable in said chamber to connect either end of the line with the pump and simultaneously and for substantially the same interval to connect the other end of the line with the supply or simultaneously to vent both ends of the line and direct lubricant from the pump back to the supply, and a mechanical timing device operated by movement of said pump and connected to shift said valve member at predetermined intervals to its several operative positions in a predetermined order.

7. In a lubricating system having a lubricant distributing line and a driving means continuously operating a pump continuously to pump lubricant from a source of supply, means forming a valve chamber with passages leading to said chamber from the pump, from said chamber to both ends of the line, and from said chamber back to. the supply a single valve member shiitable to diiierent positions; in said chamber to connect either end of the line. with the. pump and simultaneously for substantially the. same interval to connect. the other end of. the line. with the; supply or to. direct-.the. entire output of the pump back to the supply, a rotatable cam formed to shift said valve member to its; difierent. positions; in accordance with. a predetermined cycle, and speed reducing gearing operatively connecting: said cam with said pump.

8. In a. lubricating system having a lubricant distributing; line and: a driving means continucusly operating a. pump continuously to pump lubricant from a; source of: supply, means form-- in av valve. chamber: with passages: leading to said; chamber from, the pump, from. said chamber to; both ends. of the line, and from said chamber back to the supply, a. single valve member: shift.- ablate di-fierent positiicna-in said chamberto connect either: end of; the. line. with, the pump and simultaneously for; substantially-the same? interval to connect the. other end. of the line with the supply or to. direct: thev entire. o.utput;..of' the pump back to the supply; a. rotatable. cam for: shifting saidvalve. member to, its: difierent positions in accordance with a predeterminedcycle,. means driven; by; said pump driving means. for. rotating said; cam. including epicyclic gearing, and means for-varying the rate. of rotation of said gearing independently of the speed of operation ofsaid pump driving; means to. vary. the period' of a cycle.

9; In. a. lubricatingssystem. having a. lubricant I apower driven pump i continuouslysupplies-lubricant from a sourceto alineon to a bypassback tothe supply under the control of a valve, means positively to operate. said; valve for connecting said pump with said line, or with said bypass at predetermined intervals; and; for, predetermined periods; comprising a cam; means including a ratchet to operate said cam, means to operate said ratchet including a lever, means including a lost motion connection between the operating mechanism for said pump and said lever for rocking the latter and a pawl operated by said lever to advance said ratchet, and means to vary the lost motion between said pump operating mechanism and lever thereby to vary the period of a cycle of operation of the valve. I

11. In a lubricating system of the type wherein a power driven pump continuously supplies lubricant from a source to a line or to a bypass back to the supply under the control of a valve, means positively to operate said valve for connecting said pump with said line or with said bypass at predetermined intervals and for predetermined periods, comprising a cam, means including a ratchet to operate said cam, means to operate said ratchet including a rockable lever, yieldable means to bias said lever in one direction, a loose connection. between the lever and. the operating mechanism for said pump effective. to move said lever in the opposite direction when the pump is operated and a. pawl operated by said lever to advance said ratchet, and cooperating stops on. said lever and a fixed part of said mechanism to limit movement of the lever'under the influence of said yieldabie. means, said. stops being relatively adjustable to vary the limits of the stroke of said lever andthereby to vary the amount saidratchet is advanced during each stroke of the pump.

1 2.. In a lubricating system of the type wherein a. power drivenpump continuously supplies lubricant-from a source: to'a line or to a bypass back to thesupply under the control of a valve, means positively to operate said valve-for connecting said pump with said. line or with. said bypass at predetermined .intervals and for predetermined periods,.comprising cam means for positively operating said valve; a ratchet and pawl mechanism operated. by said pump operating mechanism; an epicyclic: gearing including a fixed. gear, a gear operatively connected for driving-said cammeans, and pinion means rotatably carried by said'ratchet and. engaged with said fixed gear so as to be rotated upon its: own axis when. the ratchet isadvanced and engaged with said: cam 'driving gear simultaneously to advance the: same;-

1:3. Ina lubricating system of the type where'- inxa. power driven pump continuously supplies lubricant: from. a source. to. a line orv to. abypa'ss back; to the supplyunder'thecontrol. of a valve, means. positively to operate said valve for conmeeting, said pump with said line or with said bypass: at predetermined intervals. and for predetermined; periods. comprising cam means for positively operating said valve, cam. operating means including; a; ratchet; epicyclic gearing" actuated by said; ratchet: upon rotation thereof for driving saidicam' means and means for rotating said; ratchet. including" a; pawl mechanism connectedato. operateiniunison with said pump, and means] independent of. said pump for regulating the stroke of said pawl mechanism.

14.. In a. lubricating system of thetype wherein at: power driven pump: continuously supplies lubricantzfroma. source to. a lineor to a bypass backtothe supply'under the control. of a'valve, meanszpositively' to operate saidva'lve for connecting' said: pump with said line or with said bypass at. predetermined. intervals and for predetermined: periods; comprising cam meansfo'r positively operating: said valve means, and-'- cam operating meanscomprising a ratchet; epicyclic gearing: driven: by said ratchet and operatively connected. for driving: said cam. means, a pawl mechanism for rotating said ratchet, a rockable lever member for operating said pawl mechanism, means to establish a connection between said lever and the operating mechanism for said pump to rock the lever in one direction, means for rocking said lever in the opposite direction, and means to limit movement of the lever in the latter direction to vary the stroke of said pawl mechanism and thereby to vary the speed of rotation of the ratchet and the cam driven thereby.

15. In a lubricating apparatus including a continuously operating pump for pumping lubricant from a source intermittently to the opposite ends of a lubricant distributing line, the combination comprising a valve block having a valve chamber formed therein, said valve chamber having an inlet port communicating with said pump, a pair of alternate discharge and return ports, means for returning the lubricant pumped by said pump to said source of supply including a bypass port in said valve chamber, a single piston valve reciprocable in said chamber having a plurality of passage forming means, one of said passage forming means cooperating with said valve chamber at one position of the valve to connect said inlet port to one of said discharge ports and at the same position of the valve a second of said passage forming means cooperating with said valve chamber to connect the second discharge port to said bypass port for directing lubricant in one direction from the valve chamher, at another position of the valve the second passage forming means connecting said inlet port to the second discharge port and the first passage forming means connecting said first discharge port to the bypass port for directing lubricant in the opposite direction from said valve chamber, said passage forming means at a third position of the valve cooperating with said valve chamber and the ports therein to discontinue the flow of lubricant to the discharge ports and cause the same to be returned to said source of supply,

and timing mechanism to move said valve between said positions in a predetermined order and at predetermined intervals.

16. In a lubricating apparatus including a continuously operating pump for pumping lubricant from a source intermittently to the opposite ends of a lubricant distributing line, the combination comprising a valve block having a valve chamber formed therein, said valve chamber having an inlet port communicating with said pump, a pair of alternate discharge and return ports, and a bypass port communicating with the source of supply, a single piston valve reciprocable in said chamber having a plurality of passage forming means, one of said passage forming means cooperating with said valve chamber at one position of the valve to connect said inlet port to.

one of said discharge ports and at the same position of the valve a second of said passage forming means cooperating with said valve chamber to connect the second discharge port to said bypass port for directing lubricant in one direction from the valve chamber, at another position 01' the valve the second passage forming means connecting saidinlet port to the second discharge port and the first passage forming means connecting said first discharge port to said bypass port for directing lubricant in the opposite direction from said valve chamber, said passage forming means at a third position of the valve cooperating with said valve chamber and the ports therein to connect both discharge ports and said inlet to the bypass port, and timing mechanism to move said valve between said positions in a. predetermined order and at predetermined intervals.

'17. In a lubricating apparatus including a continuously operating pump for pumping lubricant from a source intermittently to the opposite ends of a lubricant distributing line, the combination comprising a valve block having a valve chamber formed therein, said valve chamber having an inlet port communicating with said pump, a pair of alternate discharge and return ports, and a bypass port communicating with the source of supply, a single piston valve reciprocable in said chamber having a plurality of passage forming means, one of said. passage forming means cooperating with said valve chamber at one position of the valve to connect said inlet port to one of said discharge ports and at the same position of the valve a second of said passage forming means cooperating with said valve chamber to connect the second discharge port to said bypass port for directing lubricant in one direction from the valve chamber, at another position of the valve-the second passage forming means connecting said inlet port to the second discharge port and the first passage forming means connecting said first discharge port to said bypass port for directing lubricant in the opposite dimotion from said valve chamber, said valve at a third position to which it is movable closing said inlet port, timing mechanism to move said valve between said positions in a predetermined order and at predetermined intervals, and a check valved bypass means in said valve block connecting the pump and the source of lubricant for returning lubricant to said source when said valve is in the third position.

HARRY R. TEAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,825,973 Murphy Oct. 6, 1931 1,919,118 Millington July 18, 1933 2,063,903 Bijur Dec. 15, 1936 2,068,391 Acker Jan. 19, 1937 J 2,075,719 Hillis Mar. 30, 1937 2,260,497 Whitted Oct. 28, 1941 2,353,734 Kocher July 18, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,955 ,Great Britain 1907 

